The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has strongly criticised the Government of Uttar Pradesh for tormenting the victims of Muzaffarnagar communal riots. The district administration of Muzaffarnagar recently asked the victims to sign an affidavit stating that they will leave their house and all ‘moveable and immoveable’ properties for ever after receiving an ex gratia worth Rs 5 lakh. Mr. Nusrat Ali, Secretary General of Jamaat, in a statement on 12 November, said the government was thus adding salt to the wounds of the victims. He termed the act as a new conspiracy and plot against Muslims.
This act of the government has brought to limelight the apathetic attitude of the government towards rehabilitating those displaced during the riots which had claimed over 100 lives and left thousands displaced. Needless to say that most of the displaced people are from the minority community and are forced to live in relief camps even in this chilling cold.
Amir Jamal, who recently visited the riot-hit area along with the Jamaat delegation led by Muhammad Shafi Madni, told Radiance, “The district administration is asking those who come to receive the ex gratia to sign an affidavit that they will go anywhere but to their village.” According to him, the administration is allowing the high-hat rioters to usurp the crop fields and other properties of the victims in the village. Another volunteer working in the relief camp near Shamli said, “If these victims are asked to accept Rs. 5 lakh and leave their villages for good, who will take ownership of their lands and houses?”
The Jamaat Secretary General added in his statement that instead of thinking of rehabilitation of those victims and bringing the wrongdoers to book, the government is tormenting the victims and encouraging the perpetrators. As per his statement, the practice is offensive in nature and can set a new trend which will be extremely oppressive for the minorities and downtrodden communities.
It is worth noting here that the riot broke into parts of Muzaffarnagar district on 7-8 September which later spread even to the remote villages of the districts. This was the first time in independent India when villages plunged into deadly communal uprisings. Though some people have returned to their villages yet the nightmare of the riots are still haunting many and they refuse to go back to their homes. Jamaat and other civil organisations are busy doing relief and rehabilitation work in the area.